HospitalInspections.org

Based on observations, record reviews and interviews, the facility failed to maintain the overall environment, which includes making needed repairs to ensure the safety and well-being of the patients in Building #17.

The findings were:

During an observation of Building #17 on 4/16/2014 at 11:45 AM, the entire building was noted to have a very strong urine odor. The 2 patient bathrooms on either hallway were observed clean and in working order.

An interview with the Unit Nurse for Building #17 on 4/16/14 at 12:55 PM revealed that Building #17 smells of urine because there is one patient who likes to urinate in his room on the floor. The smell in the entire building is generating from that one room. The facility is aware of the problem, but has not come up with a fix for the situation.

An observation of Room #33 in Building #17 with the Health Service Worker (HSW) on 4/16/2014 at 1:05 PM, revealed Patient Room #33 has 3 beds. There were 2 patients assigned to this room. The corner of the room revealed that there were approximately 20 floor tiles missing. The room was noted with a highly pungent, offensive smell of urine. The HSW worker was observed visibly disturbed by the smell and was attempting to cover her nose and mouth.

An interview with the HSW on 4/16/2014 at 1:05 PM during the observation, revealed the area where the missing floor tiles were was where the patient likes to urinate on the floor. The urine gets under the tiles, and so the smell stays. The housekeepers clean the room daily and mop the floor, but the smell is under the tiles and there is nothing they can do about it. The HSW indicated they have complained and put in work orders repeatedly, but nothing has been done. The smell had been this way for months.

An interview with the Unit Director of Building #17 on 4/16/2014 at 2:30 PM revealed the smell in that Building was being caused by 2 patients that like to urinate on the floor in their room. The unit is cleaned daily, but the urine has soaked through the tile on the floor in the room. There have been several work orders placed, but the only options to fix problem is to retile the floor or put a thick layer of laminate over the tiles to lock in the smell. It was discovered previously that the glue used to put the tiles down had asbestos in it, so taking up the tile and putting new tiles down would not be an easy process.

A review of the Service Request Status (SRS) for Building #17, Room 33 with a closed date of 7/27/2013, revealed an order was placed to replace approximately 8 floor tiles in Room 33. The task was not assigned and the outcome was listed as 'completed as requested'. A review of the SRS with a denied date of 11/7/2013 revealed a request for service for Room #33 for the corner tiles, which were heavily stained with urine that covered the majority of the floor. The outcome was that this was referred to the Manager of Housekeeping Services, and this SRS would be denied. A review of the SRS dated 3/26/14 revealed a request to have the floor tile in Room #33 replaced. The SRS explained there have been numerous work orders put in for the same issue. The SRS showed that the task was not assigned and there was no outcome listed.